Looking for tips, tricks and advice on rebuilding VM carbs

[Super]

Hi all,
So I'm about to start rebuilding the VM carbs on my project 1978 GS550E. I have the rebuilding guide off of the forum here and was wondering...anybody have any tips, tricks or advice I should be aware of before I start? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

They have been completely torn down, dipped and I have the O-ring set from Robert Barr so I'm pretty good to go. I have also rebuilt the CV carbs on my 82 GS750EZ so I'm not a complete newby on this.

Just thought it might be wise to get any sage wisdom from more experienced carb people...

Gotta head off to work so I'll check back here in about 9 hours so please feel free to chime in everybody! Thanks

[tkent02]

Take them apart. Clean them. Check the float adjustment. Put them back together. Don't remove the needle jet, it won't go back in. Bench synch. Vacuum synch and tweak the needles. Not much to it really. If you get stuck, Call Chuck Hahn, he's the new resident expert.

[Nessism]

Oil the O-rings before inserting the parts together to avoid tearing your new O-rings.

[rustybronco]

Make sure the spring loaded plunger in the end of the float needle is not stuck nor the spring too weak (very subjective).

Rotate the assembled carb rack until the floats are lightly resting on the float needles, blocking the rack to hold in that position, then measure the float height on both sides of each float, bending the float arm and tang as necessary.

be very detail orientated when cleaning/checking.

bench check the fuel levels externally.

as was said before do it one time and one time only.

tkent02...
the needle jets can be removed and reinstalled, although not needed under normal circumstances.

[Nessism]

Another thing is to make sure the fuel screw tips are not broken off in the carb bodies. And measuring the fuel level is better than float height if you really want to make sure the floats are set correctly.

[tkent02]

tkent02...
the needle jets can be removed and reinstalled, although not needed under normal circumstances.

I could never get them back in, what do you use to do this?

[rustybronco]

a slight bevel with some crocus cloth to the end where it fits into the carb body and tapped into place with a large chop stick. some go back in without the bevel, some will not.

[Super]

Thanks to everyone who added their wisdom. I will follow all of your advice.

They have been completely taken apart and sitting on the kitchen table ( feeling the wrath of the wife!!) after having been in carb dip. I also have rebuild kits for all 4 so the new parts should work just fine. I will especially take the time to be sure the floats are set right and double check them. And I am VERY detail oriented!

Thanks again...and if anyone else wants to add anything, please feel free to do so!!!

[Nessism]

Warning: off the shelf "carb kits" are notorious for poor quality. Common GSR wisdom is to get an O-ring kit from cycleorings.com, including the O-rings for your intake boots (mandatory to replace). Reuse the stock Mikuni jets unless they are damaged in some way.

[Super]

Okay..I will check the rebuild kits vs the existing hardware. I already have the O-ring set from cycleorings so I'm ready to go there. Thanks!

[chuckycheese]

Tight

Don't over tighten ANYTHING. It's not necesssary and, besides.....you'll probably be the guy who works on them next time.